Taiwan Lantern Festival 2022

Taiwan’s calendar is jam-packed with traditional and modern celebrations, and one of the most famous Taiwan’s Festivals is Taiwan Lantern Festival which is held annually in Taiwan. Learn more about Taiwan Lantern Festival 2022 in this article from UAE Moments. 

What is Taiwan Lantern Festival? 

Lantern Festival, also called Yuan Xiao Festival, is a holiday celebrated in China and other Asian countries on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar to honor deceased ancestors and encourage reconciliation, peace, and forgiveness. During Taiwan Lantern Festival, all houses get decorated with colorful lanterns, and children at schools make a smaller lantern, adding to the spectacle of the evening. 

What is the origin of Lantern Festival? 

The Lantern Festival started during the Han Dynasty, about two thousand years ago, during the reign of Emperor Wu. There are several different supposed origins of the Lantern Festival, and here are the most two famous stories:   

A Maid Who Wants to See her Family  

During the reign of Emperor Wu, there was a palace maid named Yuansiao, and she suffered from homesickness since her role forbids her from ever seeing her family. A minister from the palace took pity on her, so he produced a plan to reunite Yuansiao with her parents for one night of the year. 

The minister told the emperor that the God of Heaven would destroy the city with fire because he was displeased unless lanterns hung throughout the city on his birthday. The emperor agreed!  

On that night, servants and maids got permission to leave the palace to help in the ritual, giving Yuansiao the chance to see her family. 

Emperor Anger  

Another legend says the Jade Emperor, the highest god in Heaven, got angry at the people of a town because someone killed his favorite goose. Accordingly, he wanted to destroy them on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month with a firestorm.  

What saved them is that a good-hearted fairy heard of the emperor's plan, so she wanted the town to look like it was already ablaze, so she asked the townsfolk to light lanterns on the appointed day, and they did! 

The fairy convinced the Jade Emperor that his goose had already been avenged, so he decided not to destroy the town. Since then, the Yuan Xiao Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the first month of the Chinese calendar. 

When is Taiwan Lantern Festival 2022? 

Taiwan Lantern Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month, and this day is the first night after the Lunar New year when there is a full moon and marks the culmination of the new year festivities. So, Taiwan Lantern Festival 2022 will be held from 1st – 28th February 2022. 

How to Celebrate Taiwan Lantern Festival? 

Taiwan Lantern Festival is about family reunions, and during the 16 days, people celebrate with special activities that travelers enjoy in Taiwan. Taiwan Lantern Festival celebration activities include: 

Areas Decorated with Lantern 

During the Taiwan Lantern Festival, streets, parks, and houses in Taiwan get decorated with colorful huge lanterns that could have a photo of the current zodiac animal or a scene from traditional Chinese folk stories. 

Riddles and Gifts 

Some people add lanterns with riddles written on them; if the riddle is answered correctly, the solver earns a small gift. 

Incredible Shows  

Visiting Taiwan during the Taiwan Lantern Festival is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy the phenomenal shows as a part of celebrating this event, including lion and dragon dances, parades, and fireworks. 

Eating Yuan xiao or Tang Yuan 

It is customary for dessert to be associated with any heritage event. During Taiwan Lantern Festival, people prepare and eat a ball-shaped sweet dessert made of glutinous rice, filled with fruits and nuts. This dessert is called yuan xiao in northern China, and tang yuan in southern China is a famous dessert in Taiwan’s food culture. The round shape of Yuan xiao or Tang Yuan symbolizes wholeness and unity within the family. 

What is 2022 Zodiac Animal? 

On 1 February 2022, the world welcomed the Year of the Tiger. 

Taiwan Lantern Festival is during winter. So, if you are planning to attend this event, we suggest you read the guide for visiting Taiwan in Winter. Don't miss going to Taiwan's night markets that will satisfy street food cravings. For more related articles, visit UAE Moment; Travel category.